The latest edition of the respected Harden's Restaurant Guide has been unveiled, listing the United Kingdom's top 100 places to dine for 2026. While the top three spots were claimed by establishments outside the capital, London has demonstrated its culinary dominance by securing a remarkable 38 entries on the prestigious list.
The Capital's Culinary Champion
Leading the charge for London is the celebrated The Ledbury in Notting Hill, which clinched an impressive fourth place nationally. The guide, which is compiled from over 30,000 reports submitted by a panel of 2,500 diners, praised the restaurant for its "head-to-toe near perfection." Reviewers highlighted everything from the owner and staff to the exceptional tasting menu, describing the experience as "wallet-scorching but exceptional." The restaurant earned a 'very good' four out of five rating for both food and ambiance, and a 'good' three out of five for service.
Founded in 2005 by chefs Brett Graham and Nigel Platts-Martin, The Ledbury is no stranger to acclaim. It has been named the UK's best restaurant multiple times, earned two Michelin stars by 2010, and was awarded a coveted third Michelin star in 2024. After a two-year closure following the pandemic, it reopened in 2022 and has continued to excel. One diner in the survey called the dishes "genius," while another commended the "unquestionably the most impressive front of house staff" they had ever encountered.
London's Strong Showing Across the Board
Beyond The Ledbury, several other London restaurants featured prominently in the guide's top ten. Row on 5 secured fifth place, Humble Chicken in Soho took seventh, and Da Terra in Bethnal Green ranked ninth. The overall number one spot for 2026 was awarded to the three Michelin-starred Moor Hall in Lancashire.
Dining at the pinnacle of London's food scene comes at a price, however. The guide estimates that a three-course dinner at The Ledbury, accompanied by half a bottle of wine and coffee, would cost approximately £345 per person.
The Full London Line-Up
The complete list of London restaurants featured in Harden's top 100 UK restaurants for 2026, along with their rankings, is as follows:
- The Ledbury (4)
- Row on 5 (5)
- Humble Chicken (7)
- Da Terra, Town Hall Hotel (9)
- Behind (18)
- Rokesu (19)
- Plates (21)
- Sollip (23)
- Core by Clare Smyth (25)
- Kitchen Table (27)
- A Wong (29)
- Akoko (39)
- AngloThao (40)
- Restaurant St. Barts (41)
- Trinity (42)
- Hunan (43)
- Caractère (44)
- Cornus (45)
- Iyoki (46)
- Kioku at the OWO (50)
- Frog by Adam Handling (52)
- Sketch, The Lecture Room and Library (53)
- Aulis London (55)
- La Petite Maison (56)
- The Ritz (57)
- Sushi Tetsu (58)
- Brooklands (64)
- Takahashi (65)
- Hide (71)
- Evelyn's Table at the Blue Posts (72)
- SOLA (73)
- Trivet (74)
- The Cocochine (79)
- Kai Mayfair (81)
- Nobu, Metropolitan Hotel (85)
- Bar des Prés (90)
- Ormer Mayfair by Sofian, Flemings Mayfair Hotel (91)
- Hakkasan Mayfair (97)
The guide's findings reinforce London's status as a global dining powerhouse, with a diverse range of cuisines and styles represented, from modern European tasting menus to innovative Asian-inspired dishes. The results are a direct reflection of diner experiences, offering a trusted snapshot of where the UK's most discerning eaters are choosing to spend their money.
